Public Safety

Dive team recovers body of missing boater in Choctawhatchee Bay

Authorities recovered the body of Benjamin Godwin, 35, who disappeared Tuesday evening after his vessel began taking on water in Choctawhatchee Bay.

Jared Williams

The Florida Fish and Wildlife dive team has recovered the body of a Walton County man who went missing Tuesday evening while boating in Choctawhatchee Bay.

Benjamin Godwin, 35, disappeared after his boat began taking on water. He had placed a distress call to his wife that evening after launching his vessel.

Family members, including Godwin’s brother, had maintained a continuous presence during the search operation, which began Tuesday night. According to family members, Godwin grew up around Choctawhatchee Bay and was passionate about spending time on the water.

Multiple agencies participated in the search effort, including the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Okaloosa MedFlight, Bay County Sheriff’s Office Air One, Walton County Fire Rescue, and South Walton Fire District.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences for the family’s loss, noting the community joins in mourning Godwin’s death.

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